Tag Archives: Words on Art

The Underlying Role of Art and the Artist

Writing Art by Al Gord

“Politicians don’t bring people together. Artists do.”Richard Daley

The role an artist plays varies, based on subject matter, audience and intent of the work. Whether the artist intends to inspire, raise awareness or even provoke – artists also need to actively make a positive difference. Sometimes that is achieved merely by the subject matter and how it moves and connects others. On a more intentional level it is about giving back to society and supporting important causes.

When others think about artists, they may think about creative types producing works; pieces based on personal experience or themes of personal interest. Synonymous with this is the notion that the role of the artist is to maintain a sense of culture within society. While elements of this notion may be true, the role of the artist has been and continues to be far more than just as a cultural catalyst.

Everyone has a role to play in society, to help others, to be part of a bigger cause. As an artist I feel that it is part of my social responsibility to support causes, which may not be as well known, but which help others in need. The last few years have afforded me these opportunities through art exhibits.

we Can be heroes (just for one day) by Al Gord

In the fall of 2015 I was fortunate enough to be part of the ‘Touched by Fire’ art show in Toronto supporting the Mood Disorders Association of Ontario (MDAO). MDAO offers support programs for individuals throughout Ontario and their families, who are living with depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder. In the spring of 2016 I participated in the Twitter Art Exhibit, held in New York, to support Foster Pride, an organization supporting young women in foster care. This upcoming spring I am participating in another Twitter Art exhibit, this time in the United Kingdom, to support Molly Olly’s Wishes for children who are seriously or terminally ill.

I feel fortunate that I get to do something I love and help others in the process. While art is my vehicle for giving back, there are unlimited opportunities for individuals. I encourage everyone to look for active opportunities to make a difference. Find a way to combine your passion with a wonderful cause; the sense of satisfaction you receive will be something truly meaningful.

Al Gord is an up and coming artist who has been featured in Niji Magazine. He uses abstract techniques with figurativism to create Rock Icon Portraitures and Modern Romantic (Uninhibited) Expressionist pieces. Al also creates pieces which focus on mental health awareness and advocacy. Regardless of the subject matter, his signature style is clearly recognizable. His work is showcased on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, where he welcomes inquiries, questions, and feedback.

Al Gord and Al Gord Art: All work is the creative and intellectual property of Al Gord and Al Gord Art. No part of my work (specific work, its electronic reproductions or its intellectual property) may be reproduced, copied, modified, transmitted, re-distributed or adapted, without the prior written consent of the artist, Al Gord.

Hello everyone and welcome back to Words on Art, where we invite artists and writers to collaborate and creatively blend brush strokes with words. We would like to thank Jessica for her successful writing submission, Sweet Oranges, chosen to complement Al Gord’s painting, titled A Changing Perspective. We would love to hear your feedback on this creative blend. Feel free to share your thoughts in the reply box below. Thank you Al and Jessica.

I watch you leave and I am helpless

For despite your plea to stop the rain

I can’t hold back the clouds.

Your boots are wet, your heart defeated

Sweet oranges leave a trail behind you.

Our next Artists on a Limb feature is one of my own works from high school (seems like forever ago). It is acrylic on canvass, titled Serenity.

We invite you to submit poems, captions, short stories and other words to capture the essence of the art. Please send your writing to wordsonalimb@bell.net (please include Words on Art in the subject line).

Artists, if you have an art piece you would like us to consider featuring on Artists on a Limb, please email us with Art Submission in the subject line. Please note, the art must be your original work.

Hello everyone and welcome back to Words on Art, where we invite artists and writers to collaborate and creatively blend brush strokes with words. We would like to thank Tammy for her successful writing submission, The Proposal, chosen to complement Jana’s painting, Peach and Bear. We would love to hear your feedback on this creative blend – please share your thoughts in the reply box in the bottom of the post. Thank you Jana and Tammy.

The Proposal

I held your hand here a thousand times and caressed you as we walked.

We shared our fears, our past, our hurt, and then erased the memory of them.

We spoke of wishes, hopes and dreams – oh, how I long to build them with you.

To spend my life right next to you is what I want to do.

No step alone. No life without you.

Will you marry me?

Our next Artist on a Limb submission comes from Emily Page. It is a 70″ x 48″ oil on canvas, titled 4th Floor. Thanks Emily it was nice to connect with you!

Read more about Emily:

Writers, please submit your poems, captions, short stories and other words to capture the essence of the art to wordsonalimb@bell.net (with Words on Art in the subject line).

Artists, if you have a piece you would like us to consider featuring on Artists on a Limb, please email us with Art Submission in the subject line. Please note, the art must be your original work.

Welcome back to Words on Art, where we invite artists and writers to collaborate and creatively blend brush strokes with words. We would like to thank Steven H. for his successful writing submission, chosen to complement Jasmine’s untitled art sketch. Let us know what you think by sharing your thoughts in the Reply box below. Thank you Steven and Jasmine.

Untitled

Mi Amante

The sound of waves crashing stirs my sleepy thoughts. Is it my phone’s ocean sound alarm at home, or perhaps the real thing in a far way continent?

In the deep recesses of my mind, a little process begins; deciphering the randomness of the water crashing, the deep timber roar of the ocean, the lush feel of the fabric that makes the pillow case under my head at this moment. Then there is the salty smell of the sea in the air, something you can definitely not duplicate. Little sub-routines in my brain begin processing the information and the result makes me smile wide inside my dreamy mind.

Memories start pouring in, you getting dressed for our trip, your big brown eyes wide with excitement, your long hair resplendent. The luxurious plane ride, the stylish car sent to pick us up from the Barcelona airport, and finally the arrival at the villa.

Your smile fills my half-waking dreams, when you opened the curtains and saw the Mediterranean Sea stretching out as far as the eye could see, the way you turned and kissed me with excitement. These are all cup-overflowing feelings of bliss that greet me this morning.

Our next Artist on a Limb submission comes from Jana. The name of the art piece is Peach and Bear. Writers, please submit your poems, captions, short stories and other words to capture the essence of the art.

On occasion we will post some art pieces and invite you to write a caption that captures the essence of the image.

Thank you Carl for capturing our first Words on Art.

I wake.

Slowly I turn over in bed hoping to catch
a glimpse of the centre of my world.
She is not there.
For a nanosecond, dread overcomes me
as dark memories of a similar nightmare
run through my mind.
But just as quickly, the fear vanishes
as I see your bare back stretched
in front of the villa’s bay window.
I take a mental picture.

The sun is shining, almost through you.
The curtains are swaying in the breeze,
enveloping you as if reading my mind.
Your hair is calm beneath an elegant sombrero.
Interesting shadows hit your body in odd places,
calling attention to all your shades of perfection.
I drink it all in, enjoying every moment.
As always, you sense me around you
and I see a smile break.

Here is our next art piece. Let’s get creative. Send in your captions, writing pieces, poems, to wordsonalimb@bell.net. The selected entry will be posted in our next Words on Art feature.

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Hi. I'm Lora and welcome to my blog, Words On A Limb, where the structure of language and freedom of art mesh into a creative pallet of literary expression. Books, poems, articles, teacher resources, parenting articles - whatever it is, if it’s written, it will be shared and celebrated.

Some of the most beautiful things ever written are housed on crumpled pieces of paper, tucked under mattresses and stashed away in a maybe one day pile. My vision for this blog is to set a stage for those hidden gems.

Please feel free to share your thoughts and opinions as you go through the site.